“A joyful pulse?” Qiao Mu, who had been listless just moments ago, was startled into alertness. “How… could that be possible?”

Her voice grew so faint by the end that even she could barely hear herself.

“Are you certain it’s not possible?” Feng Jiu’er looked at her, narrowing her eyes slightly.

“Stop being cryptic!” Qiao Mu shoved her shoulder.

Feng Jiu’er drew her hand back, cradling the shoulder that had just been struck.

“I’m practically a mother-to-be now, and you’re still this rough with me!”

“What do you mean, mother-to-be?” Xiao Yingtao, who had been holding onto Qiao Mu, suddenly tightened her grip.

“It means she’s pregnant. In a few months she’ll be someone’s mother.”

Feng Jiu’er raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting from Xiao Yingtao to Qiao Mu.

“Understand now? You’ve had no appetite for days, and things you used to love eating now make you feel sick — those are early pregnancy symptoms.”

“No way…” Qiao Mu sank back onto the blanket.

“You’re really pregnant? That’s wonderful!” Xiao Yingtao sat beside her and took her hand.

She tilted her head, bending to look at Qiao Mu’s belly, beaming.

“There’s a baby in here — how amazing!”

Xiao Yingtao reached out to touch Qiao Mu’s belly, but Qiao Mu pushed her hand away.

“Don’t touch it! I still haven’t wrapped my head around this.”

Qiao Mu touched her own belly, then lifted her eyes to Feng Jiu’er.

“No wonder I haven’t wanted to eat anything these past two days, and just now I… threw up.”

“Does pregnancy always make you throw up? Is it really this uncomfortable? Feng Jiu’er, you have to help me — this is your little nephew, after all.”

“If I can’t eat anything day after day, won’t he fail to grow properly?”

Feng Jiu’er smiled faintly. “You’re adjusting to the idea rather quickly, aren’t you?”

“The sooner you conceive and the sooner you give birth, the better it is for both mother and child.”

“As for what you’re worried about, there’s no need to fret too much. Many pregnant women go through the same thing.”

“Everyone’s constitution is different, so there will be some variation, but for most people, this kind of morning sickness usually lasts about one to two months.”

“One to two months?” Qiao Mu pressed a hand to her forehead and leaned back.

Xiao Yingtao was quick — she spun around and became a backrest for her.

“It’s fine, just bear with it a little longer.” Xiao Yingtao held her and murmured soothing words.

Then, with a sudden “pfft,” she burst out laughing.

“Sorry! I’m just really happy!” Xiao Yingtao hurried to explain.

“And when I imagine Qiao Mu with a huge belly, still hauling around her dragon-tongue silver spear, I just can’t help laughing.”

“She’d definitely look fierce — definitely handsome, don’t you think?”

Qiao Mu let out a cold snort and sat up straight.

She took a deep breath and lifted her eyes to meet Feng Jiu’er’s gaze.

“This child was actually part of my plan, in a way. I’m not as young as you two — I’ve long since been of an age to become a mother.”

“But…” Qiao Mu grabbed Feng Jiu’er’s arm. “Jiu’er, I didn’t know it would feel this awful.”

“Not only do I not want to eat anything, I also want to throw up — all the time, constantly — and my whole body feels weak, and I get so irritable, I…”

A maidservant led people in, and Qiao Mu fell silent.

She lowered her head, all the spirit drained from her.

Feng Jiu’er gently patted the back of her hand and said softly, “It’s all right. I’ll think of a way to help.”

“Mm.” Qiao Mu braced herself against the table and stood.

“Go to my chambers. Xiao Yingtao, help me tidy up and bring my things over.”

“Oh.” Xiao Yingtao nodded and knelt down to start clearing the table.

As the three of them walked into the east wing, a maidservant came forward to greet them.

“Miss Jiu’er, Miss Xiao Yingtao, you’re here? Miss Qiao, do you have an appetite today? Is there something you’d like to eat?”

“Prepare some meat congee, with the meat picked out and removed, along with a few vegetable buns, sweet potato buns, and red bean buns.” Feng Jiu’er instructed.

“Yes.” The maidservant bowed slightly.

“Also prepare washing supplies for Miss Qiao,” Feng Jiu’er added.

“Yes, Miss.” The maidservant bowed and left.

The three of them entered the chamber, and soon a maidservant brought in water and towels.

Qiao Mu washed up behind the screen and changed into a fresh set of clothes before coming out.

Having not seen her for a while, both Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao could tell she had grown thinner.

Xiao Yingtao went over, supporting her, and helped her lie down on the bed.

“Do I really have to lie down the whole time?” Qiao Mu looked at the two of them, somewhat helpless. “I’m not that delicate!”

“It’s your first child — it’s better to be careful.” Xiao Yingtao soothed her, then turned around.

“Jiu’er, what are you writing? Is that a prescription for Qiao Mu?”

“It’s medicine, and it isn’t medicine.” Feng Jiu’er blew on the paper she’d finished writing and stood up.

“This is a nourishing meal plan — nothing too strong, since there’s no need for heavy tonics right now.”

Feng Jiu’er picked up a small block of wood and pressed the paper flat on the table with it.

“For now, eat as much as you can when you’re able. Don’t worry about throwing up — if you vomit, just eat again once you have an appetite. Small, frequent meals will keep your nutrition up just fine.”

Feng Jiu’er came to the bedside and sat down, taking Qiao Mu’s hand again.

“Let me take a good look at you. No rush — I’m here.”

“Mm.” Qiao Mu nodded and closed her eyes. “I didn’t sleep at all last night. Let me rest for a while.”

“Sleep, then.” Xiao Yingtao also sat down at the bedside, gently patting her leg.

“With me and Jiu’er here, don’t be afraid, okay!”

“I’m not afraid!” Qiao Mu mumbled, and soon her breathing evened out.

Feng Jiu’er gently set down her hand and waved.

Xiao Yingtao also carefully rose to her feet, tiptoeing toward the door.

“Do all pregnant women swing back and forth like this? Cursing someone out one moment, asleep the next.”

“By the way, Jiu’er, what else should we watch out for from now on?”

“Keep your voice down!” Feng Jiu’er said, holding her meal plan as she walked off.

Xiao Yingtao blinked, glanced back once, and followed.

Once out of the chamber, the two sat in the hall, and Feng Jiu’er gave detailed instructions on how to look after Qiao Mu.

Xiao Yingtao listened carefully. She already had two elder sisters in her heart — one was Jiu’er, the other was Qiao Mu.

She would treat Qiao Mu’s child as her own as well.

The two of them, sitting outside, finished everything the maidservant had brought, while there was still no sound from within.

When the maidservant came in to clear the dishes, Feng Jiu’er looked up and asked, “When will Mister Jiang be back?”

“He said within the next two days — perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow,” the maidservant replied.

“Miss Jiu’er, do you need Mister Jiang for something? Shall I send someone to hurry him back?”

“Yes, send someone to ask.” Feng Jiu’er waved a hand.

“Yes, Miss.” The maidservant nodded, picked up the tray, and left.

Night fell before Qiao Mu slowly opened her eyes.

She blinked, her awareness returning, and sat up.

Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao, seated by the table, both looked up almost at the same instant.

“You’re awake.” Feng Jiu’er asked softly, rising to her feet.

Xiao Yingtao, hearing Feng Jiu’er deliberately lower her voice and remembering she’d been scolded earlier for speaking too loudly, also tried hard to keep her own voice down.

“Now that you’re up, wash up and eat something.”

“I made dinner myself tonight — I’ll have it brought in right away.”